Port of Pensacola

Work is expected to resume later this year on the DeepFlex project at the Port of Pensacola, after resolution of some financial setbacks. Construction of a half-finished metal warehouse was idled in March.

Published reports say Houston-based DeepFlex has secured emergency funding through its parent firm in Brazil, to address more than $200,000 in liens filed by contractors.

Construction of a $50 million DeepFlex plant at the Port of Pensacola has been on hold for about the past four weeks. The halt is being blamed in part on a global drop in oil prices.

Other reasons given by the city and by Houston-based DeepFlex include vendors being slow about making their payments, and a current restructuring of the firm’s debt and capital funding. There was a different tune sung just eight and a half months ago, when Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward kicked off the ceremony near the Port’s Commendencia Slip, in stifling heat and an invasion of gnats.

The American Association of Port Authorities is sponsoring a program for port and maritime industry professionals, which will focus exclusively on energy projects. And this first-ever meeting is at Pensacola Beach.

Hosted by Port of Pensacola Director Amy Miller, the conference on Tuesday and Wednesday will explore the benefits and challenges of investing in various types of energy-related commerce.

Two hundred jobs are being created through a major manufacturing facility to be built at the Port of Pensacola.

Mayor Ashton Hayward kicked off the announcement, with a number of business leaders and elected officials sitting under a tent and battling a swarm of gnats near Commendencia Slip. The City Council approved a lease agreement in March, which was executed in May – opening the door for the project.

A Norwegian-based company has reached agreement with the City of Pensacola, to lease a warehouse at the Port downtown. Offshore Inland is no stranger to the Gulf Coast, with facilities in Mobile, Galveston and Port Freeport, Texas; Port Fourchon, Louisiana and Dos Bocas, Mexico. The firm plans to spend up to 12 million dollars to build the Pensacola operation.

The Offshore Inland facility is projected to generate $250,000 in annual revenues. About 100 high-wage jobs will be created, handling sub-sea exploration vessels, and making flexible pipe on property adjacent to the port.